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Winter Boots

Top Picks

How we choose: The best winter boots highlighted here were selected based on 233 reviews of 105 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

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Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated Waterproof

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (3 reviews)

This boot is comfortable, warm, lightweight for a serious snow boot, grips great, clip for gaiters, nothing bad to say except it runs small. I usually wear a 10, bought an 11 and wear with sock liner and heavy wool sock, fit is perfect.

Reasons to Buy

  • Warm, even in deep snow
  • Comfortable
  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Simple yet effective lacing
  • Gaiter clip
  • Great grip
  • Feels like wearing a shoe rather than a heavy boot

Reasons to Avoid

  • Runs a bit small. Order 1/2-full size up
  • A bit more cushion underfoot would be nice for those long treks, but no big deal...the tradeoff is it's lightweight.

Have worn the Oboz Bridger BDry 10" boots on easy strolls in the woods, in deep snow up in the White Mtns barebooting and snowshoeing hikes in the Berkshires, rain, sleet, mud, stream crossings...pretty much everything.  Overall, Oboz really hit the mark for a HD winter boot. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars but I'm pretty critical with gear/boots...so consider me a Russian judge...4.5 out of 5 stars I have pretty neutral, "normal" feet, ordered a full size up expecting it to run small and to wear a sock liner+heavy wool sock for winter hiking/snowshoeing.

Read more: Oboz Bridger 10" Insulated Waterproof reviews (3)

L.L.Bean Bean Boots, 8" Tumbled-Leather Padded Collar

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

THE new classic for mucky weather. Tall enough to keep snow out. The high quality leather on these is nice and soft.

Reasons to Buy

  • Waterproof
  • Leather is excellent
  • Comfy in mucky weather
  • Urban "outdoor fashion statement"

Reasons to Avoid

  • A little slippy on ice
  • Not insulated, wear thick sox

  THE new classic for mucky weather. In Alaska known as Juneau Tennis Shoes. Used to have a pair of the Rubber Mocs and wore them all the time in Alaska. Was excited to get new boots as the Intermountain West has lots of snowy, mushy changeable weather. I first ordered the 6” boots, but they chaffed my ankle. LL Bean’s superlative customer support exchanged them for the upgrade model.    The high quality leather on these is nice and soft. Worth the extra money.     I really enjoy the collar and the pull-up loop The laces are stout vintage things that will probably outlive you, and the next generation.

Read more: L.L.Bean Bean Boots, 8" Tumbled-Leather Padded Collar review (1)

Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Very comfortable, well-insulated, and water resistant. Wore these on several mountain hikes in Tromso, Norway, without any breaking-in period. No blisters.

Reasons to Buy

  • Well insulated
  • Water resistant (not sure about waterproof)
  • Comfortable with no breaking-in period for mountain hiking
  • Look amazing

Reasons to Avoid

  • Chunkier and heavier than leather boots

Fit: I have size 36.5 feet with large toes and narrow heels, which usually blister with any pair of new shoes. I bought these in size 37.5, shoe width B, and they fit my feet perfectly (with heavy woolen socks and a layer of thin socks). So maybe get a size or half bigger. Comfort: I wore these on several 300m-600m high/4km-10km long mountain hikes in Tromso, Norway, during winter (November) without any breaking-in period. Feet were blister-free at the end of the trip.  Support: The inside sole has well defined arch support, which is great for me as my feet have high arches.

Read more: Oboz Bridger 7" Insulated Waterproof review (1)

Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Insulated

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

Insulated, waterproof, and comfortable, the Oboz Bridger Mid Insulated is made for those who stay active all winter long. Great with snowshoes, spikes, or on their own. When cold weather calls for a little insulation, but you don't want to be slowed down by heavier, sub zero gear, these boots are ready to go.

Reasons to Buy

  • Comfortable fit
  • Lots of toe wiggle room
  • Holds well to foot without binding

Reasons to Avoid

  • Some traction issues
  • Won't keep feet warm for long in sub zero temps if inactive
  • Some water puddling on top of shoe
  • No D ring to attach gaiters

Fresh from the trail you can see where snow melt has puddled a bit below the laces on top of the shoe. Those areas took a bit longer to dry, but I never found any moisture seeping through to the foot.The Oboz Bridger waterproof, insulated boot looks and feels much like a regular modern style hiking boot. That is because it is born from the Oboz Bridger Mid Bdry using the same design but adding a little insulation. The 100g of Thinsulate hidden inside turns the standard waterproof Bridger into something much more.

Read more: Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Insulated review (1)

The North Face Chilkat 400 II

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

      BASIC INFORMATION The North Face Chilkats (the current model is called the Chilkat V 400, I believe) has been a good, sturdy, cold weather boot for me so far. They’re sold in men’s sizes 7-13 and women’s sizes 5-11. They have 400 gram synthetic insulation, they’re waterproof, 10 inches tall, and my pair of men’s size 12 weighs four pounds. The heel has a small "shelf" that would probably be helpful with snowshoe bindings. [it hasn’t snowed here since I got these, so no chance to wear them with snowshoes].    FIT I have somewhat wide, flat feet, and size 12 works for me—they run roughly true to size.

Read more: The North Face Chilkat 400 II review (1)

Baffin Apex

user rating: 4 of 5 (2 reviews)

Warm but heavy.

Reasons to Buy

  • Very good insulation
  • Great traction on ice and snow
  • Waterproof

Reasons to Avoid

  • Heavy, but I can live with it.
  • For some reason the liner extends beyond the outer boot.

I bought these boots out of frustration with all the other boots I have purchased in the past. I need warm boots because I live and work in the Arctic, but have never been able to find something to keep my feet warm for very long. Finally, I bought these and was surprised. The Baffin Apex appear to be a modern version of the old rubber bottom leather top shoe pac that has been around for decades but with a significant increase in insulation. This is a very large boot in that it is rather clunky and heavy, but I guess that is the result from so much insulation. The liners, which are removable, seem to be made out of a bi-componant foam product that do keep my feet warm while moving around at temperatures of minus 40°C or so.

Read more: Baffin Apex reviews (2)

Baffin Impact

user rating: 3.5 of 5 (4 reviews)

Well insulated and completely waterproof these boots are great for bitter winter cold and times when things are less frozen too. Not for serious climbing but perfect for bushwhacking, shoveling the drive or a long sledding session with the kids.

Reasons to Buy

  • Cozy well into sub zero temps
  • Completely waterproof
  • Easy to remove and replace liner
  • Good traction on all but glare ice

Reasons to Avoid

  • Heavy
  • Size impacts normal stride
  • Made in China

Being a boot with a thick insulated liner the Impacts felt very loose when I tried them on and I worked my way down through a few sizes before settling on a 12, which is about middle of the road as boots normally run for me.  They have a two belt system for tension application, but that mostly works to hold the boot to the end of the leg as opposed to clinching around the foot.  This allows for unrestricted blood flow and some space for the insulation to work but also a loose feel on the foot.

Read more: Baffin Impact reviews (4)

Keen Revel IV High Polar Waterproof Boot

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Great fit, insulated with 400g Thinsulate, and has an excellent gripping sole. This is my first experience with Keen products, and I wonder why I didn't try them on before!

Reasons to Buy

  • Great fit
  • Sole is great on icy/snowy trails
  • Warm

Reasons to Avoid

  • Wish it had a locking eyelid for the ankle

The fit is great. I usually wear 9.5 or 10 US in boots and the 10 US is great, plenty space for socks and toes. I use to wear mid hiking boots for my winter hikes but needed warmer boots as I aged.  Sole has great traction, since it is not Vibram but Keen's own brand.  I woud have given them 5 stars, but it misses a locking eyelid for the heel (heel lock). I don't know who tests the company boots (Keen or other brands), but Keen are way to generous with the -40°c rating! Been using them at -25°c, with a medium Smartwool hiking pair of socks, and let me tell you that is the real world upper limit.

Read more: Keen Revel IV High Polar Waterproof Boot review (1)

Kamik Nation Pro

user rating: 4 of 5 (2 reviews)

These boots are a warm, dry, and light pac boot made by a proven company.

Reasons to Buy

  • I love their weight
  • Warm with removable liner
  • Waterproof bottoms
  • Water resistant tops

Reasons to Avoid

  • They weren't free.

I like these boots a whole lot. 12 inches high, which is important and standard boot wear to me, prevents snow and water getting in on ankles and stops lots of brush and briar wear on pants. They are rated for -40°f but I've never had them below about -12°f and they were warm and comfortable. They fit well out of the box with no problems except maybe with my wide foot they could've been a bit wider but the liner does collapse some after some use, making these quite comfortable. 200 gram removable synthetic liner.

Read more: Kamik Nation Pro reviews (2)

Vasque Coldspark UltraDry

user rating: 4 of 5 (2 reviews)

Insulated and waterproof for cold and wet active use this full, over the ankle boot is great for those who work and play in winter conditions. A combination of natural and synthetic materials keeps the Coldsparks flexible in deep cold. The outsole is a proprietary, dual density compound that provides good traction across the temperature spectrum.

Reasons to Buy

  • Good traction
  • Active warmth
  • Great ankle fit
  • Flexible in deep cold
  • Well constructed with nice features

Reasons to Avoid

  • Limited warmth when inactive
  • May be too warm for some when active

Specs: Weight: 2 lb 3 oz/1kg per Vasque Weight on my scale: 2 lb 11.5oz/1.237kg for US11.5 Med Width Last: Perpetuum Upper: 1.8mm Waterproof Leather, Softshell Footbed: Dual Density EVA Midsole: Molded EVA Outsole: Vasque Monolith with ColdHold Compound MSRP: $139.99           Full boot coverage and 200g of Thinsulate, yet under 3lbs in 11.5US Fit & Comfort: The Vasque Coldspark Ultradry insulated boots I received for testing came in my standard size; US 11.5 / EU 45 in a Medium width.

Read more: Vasque Coldspark UltraDry reviews (2)

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